Abstract: Personal hydration systems include a flexible bladder, a fill port assembly, an exit port, and a dryer mechanism. The dryer mechanism is configured to be selectively positioned to engage the outer surface of the flexible bladder and deform the flexible bladder from a non-drying configuration into a drying configuration in which opposing side portions are spaced further apart from each other and further away from the central axis of the flexible bladder than when the flexible bladder is in the non-drying configuration to enable circulation of air in the internal compartment of the flexible bladder. In some embodiments, the dryer mechanism is coupled to the fill port assembly. In some embodiments, the dryer mechanism includes at least one elongate member that is pivotally coupled to the fill port assembly.

Abstract: Personal hydration systems include a flexible bladder, a fill port assembly, an exit port, and a dryer mechanism. The dryer mechanism is configured to be selectively positioned to engage the outer surface of the flexible bladder and deform the flexible bladder from a non-drying configuration into a drying configuration in which opposing side portions are spaced further apart from each other and further away from the central axis of the flexible bladder than when the flexible bladder is in the non-drying configuration to enable circulation of air in the internal compartment of the flexible bladder. In some embodiments, the dryer mechanism is coupled to the fill port assembly. In some embodiments, the dryer mechanism includes at least one elongate member that is pivotally coupled to the fill port assembly.

Abstract: A user interface for controlling and displaying information about devices in a system is disclosed. The user interface is designed to meet the needs for different types of users. A user with no familiarity with the system is provided with a customized message on the display of the user interface. A user with limited experience using the interface may be provided with one or more dedicated input devices for obtaining further information about the system. For a more experienced user, a touch screen is provided allowing the user to control devices from the user interface.

Abstract: A quick release drive assembly intercouples a reversible hand held motor and a drive screw for mounting blind fasteners in place. A replaceable adaption assembly includes the drive screw, the nosepiece of the unit and a drive adaptor for supplying torque from the motor to the drive screw. An outer housing is coupled to the nosepiece by three ball bearings which extend into a peripheral groove in the nosepiece, and which are held in place by a locking zone of reduced inner diameter in a quick release sleeve. The quick release sleeve has an adjacent release zone of increased inner diameter, into which the ball bearings may shift. A locking spring biases the quick release sleeve to its locked position. An eject spring is operative when the quick release sleeve is shifted to its released position, to eject the adaption assembly.

Abstract: A strut for propping open the door of an aircraft including an outer tube connected at one end to the aircraft and a telescoping inner member connected to the aircraft door. The inner member is extended out of the outer tube when the door is fully opened and automatically locks in place. The strut can be unlocked by grasping a sleeve mounted on the outer tube, pulling it downwardly while rotating the same clockwise. The strut remains locked until the door is lifted upwardly until it stops thereby unlocking the strut. Lowering the door returns the strut to its stowed position with the inner member received within the outer tube.

Abstract: A quick release drive assembly intercouples a reversible hand held motor and a drive screw for mounting blind fasteners in place. A replaceable adaption assembly includes the drive screw, the nosepiece of the unit and a drive adaptor for supplying torque from the motor to the drive screw. An outer housing is coupled to the nosepiece by three ball bearings which extend into a peripheral groove in the nosepiece, and which are held in place by a locking zone of reduced inner diameter in a quick release sleeve. The quick release sleeve has an adjacent release zone of increased inner diameter, into which the ball bearings may shift. A locking spring biases the quick release sleeve to its locked position. An eject spring is operative when the quick release sleeve is shifted to its released position, to eject the adaption assembly.

Abstract: A fastener assembly having a bolt having a shaft with a plurality of spaced elongated closed end splines spaced from a like plurality of open ended splines. Each pair of splines are interconnected by a crossover slot of the same or greater depth than the closed end and open ended splines. The entry into the crossover slots is wide enough for ears of a retaining ring that is inserted onto the open ended splines of the bolt shaft to pass through the crossover slots and be forced out of a restricted width exit leading from the crossover slot to the closed end spline thereby trapping the ring on the bolt shaft with the ears reciprocating in the closed end splines.

Abstract: A fastener having an enlarged head and a threaded portion with an interior cavity. A plug mounted in the cavity configured similarly thereto having an enlarged head generally the same outer diameter as the enlarged end of the fastener and abutting against the same closing off the opening leading into the cavity. The plug is releasably locked in the cavity and released by magnetic action when the releasable lock is released.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming a pin and nut fastener assembly for temporarily or permanently securing two panels having conventional drilled generally aligned holes into which the assembly is inserted. Weight of the pin and nut is reduced while retaining predetermined industry established strength requirements. The thread section of the pin is reduced along with the mating thread of the nut. The pin may be cold-worked in critical areas.

Abstract: A user interface for controlling and displaying information about devices in a system is disclosed. The user interface is designed to meet the needs for different types of users. A user with no familiarity with the system is provided with a customized message on the display of the user interface. A user with limited experience using the interface may be provided with one or more dedicated input devices for obtaining further information about the system. For a more experienced user, a touch screen is provided allowing the user to control devices from the user interface.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming a pin and nut fastener assembly for temporarily or permanently securing two panels having conventional drilled generally aligned holes into which the assembly is inserted. Weight of the pin and nut is reduced while retaining predetermined industry established strength requirements. The thread section of the pin is reduced along with the mating thread of the nut. The pin may be cold-worked in critical areas.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming a pin and nut fastener assembly for temporarily or permanently securing two panels having conventional drilled generally aligned holes into which the assembly is inserted. Weight of the pin and nut is reduced while retaining predetermined industry established strength requirements. The thread section of the pin is reduced along with the mating thread of the nut. The pin may be cold-worked in critical areas.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming a pin and nut fastener assembly for temporarily or permanently securing two panels having conventional drilled generally aligned holes into which the assembly is inserted. Weight of the pin and nut is reduced while retaining predetermined industry established strength requirements. The thread section of the pin is reduced along with the mating thread of the nut. The pin may be cold-worked in critical areas.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming a pin and nut fastener assembly for temporarily or permanently securing two panels having conventional drilled generally aligned holes into which the assembly is inserted. Weight of the pin and nut is reduced while retaining predetermined industry established strength requirements. The thread section of the pin is reduced along with the mating thread of the nut. The pin may be cold-worked in critical areas.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming a pin and nut fastener assembly for temporarily or permanently securing two panels having conventional drilled generally aligned holes into which the assembly is inserted. Weight of the pin and nut is reduced while retaining predetermined industry established strength requirements. The thread section of the pin is reduced along with the mating thread of the nut. The pin may be cold-worked in critical areas.

Abstract: A nut or collar formed from a high-speed cold working process wherein the nut or collar has portions of the material forming the nut or collar removed therefrom thereby maintaining the strength of the nut or collar. The removed material is preferably in the form of curved scallops at the base of the collar or nut at spaced locations thereon formed during the cold working process.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming a pin and nut fastener assembly for temporarily or permanently securing two panels having conventional drilled generally aligned holes into which the assembly is inserted. Weight of the pin and nut is reduced while retaining predetermined industry established strength requirements. The thread section of the pin is reduced along with the mating thread of the nut. The pin may be cold-worked in critical areas.

Abstract: A nut and bolt locking system including a bolt having an anti-lock threaded shaft receiving a lock washer thereon with a plurality of spaced ears and mating anti-lock configuration. A nut threads onto the bolt shaft after placement of the washer thereof. The nut has flats on its front face that mate with the ears on the lock washer. As the nut is torqued onto the bolt during assembly, the ears of the lock washer deform back into the flats of the nut locking the washer to the nut.